Mohammed Rafi Sahab sung this philosophical song of life in MOTHER INDIA for actor Sunil Dutt who was considered first “angry young man” of Hindi Cinema for playing revolt characters in the film MOTHER INDIA, followed by MUJHE JEENE DO, AMRAPALI, RESHMA AUR SHERA, PRAN JAYE PAR VACHAN NA JAYE, GEETA MERA NAAM, ZAKHMEE, DARINDA and DAKU AUR JAWAN. In aptitude Sunil Dutt’s roles in these films were an ancestor to the “angry young man” roles of Amitabh Bachchan in Hindi Cinema. The song accurately portrays the rebel character of “BRIJU” played by the actor in the film sung very humorously by Rafi Sahab. The soundtrack of Mother India was penned by Naushad Ali in the lyrics of Shakeel Badayuni having twelve songs sung by Mohammed Rafi, Shamshad Begum, Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar, Meena Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. In addition to above solo, Rafi Sahab also sung a duet with Shamshad Begum, “O Gaadiwale Gadi Dheere Haak Re” for the actor which was picturised on Sunil Dutt and Chanchal (sister of Madhubala). The film was Produced & Directed by Mehboob Khan became one of the best top ten Indian films and its success became turning point for the careers of three great actors of Indian Cinema, Raaj Kumar, Sunil Dutt and Rajendra Kumar. It was declared as cultural classic of Indian Cinema and one of the best films in Indian as well as in world cinema. It was first Indian entry to Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1958. It won the Filmfare Best Film Award in 1957 and Mehbbob Khan & Nargis won the Best Director and Best Actress Awards respectively. There is a real life story during shooting of the film. While filming a fire scene, Nargis was stuck between elevated flames; Sunil Dutt ran through the fire and rescued her. They fall in love and married soon.

Though Sunil Dutt was emerged as “Rebel Hero” with Mother India, he was not stereotype in upcoming films for his flexibility in acting. He preferred strong roles in wacky women-oriented films like SADHANA (1958) with Vyjayantimala, SUJATA (1959) with Nutan, MAIN CHUP RAHUNGI (1962) with Meena Kumari and became A-grade star in 1960s. Mohammed Rafi’s multipurpose singing greatly supported him to play romantic as well as a social hero in 1960s and central character in 1970s. Thus, he was a tenderfoot as rebel hero in the terrifying era of trio Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand in 1950s, a divergent as romantic or social hero in the glittering era of Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar and Joy Mukherjee in 1960s and a contestant as an action hero or central character in the glorifying era of Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Singha and Sanjeev Kumar in 1970s & 1980s.

Sunil Dutt was born as Balraj Dutt in Jhelum of West Punjab (presently in Pakisthan ) on 6th June, 1929 and after partition his family re-settled in Yamuna Nagar of Haryana. He moved to Mumbai for study in Jai Hind College and also worked in BEST’s transport division as a part timer. Later, he joined as a Hindi anchor in Asia’s oldest radio station, Radio Ceylon. In an interview, director RAMESH SAIGAL noticed young handsome Sunil Dutt and cast him as a hero in RAILWAY PLATFORM (1955) opposite Nalini Jayawat. The film starts with the lovely Rafi gem, “Basti Basti Parbat Parbat Gata Jaye Banjara , Lekar Dil Ka Ektara” picturised on Manmohan Krishna in a train composed by Madan Mohan. Sunil Dutt’s first film as well as other initial films like KUNDAN, RAJDHANI, KISMAT KE KHEL, EK HI RASTA, PAYAL did not make any impact in his film career till MOTHER INDIA happens.

Rafi Sahab sung for Professor Sunil Dutt a solo “Tora Manva Kyon Ghabraye” and a duet with Asha Bhosle “Sambhal Aye Dil Tarpaye Aur Tarpane Se Kiya Hoga” in B. R. Film’s SADHANA (1958) who fall in love with a prostitute played by Vyjayanthimala. The songs composed by Datta Naik in the lyrics of Sahir Ludhianvi became very popular and the film was the fifth grossing film of the year making the banner financially most viable. After success of entertainment film Howrah Bridge, Shakti Samanta made an attempt to social theme with INSAN JAAG UTHA (1959) starring Sunil Dutt and Madhubala. Though the film was unsuccessful, songs composed by S.D. Burman in the lyrics of Shailendra became quite popular. Rafi Sahab sung one solo “Dekho Re Dekho Log Ajooba” and two duets with Asha Bhosle “Chand Sa Mukhda Kyon Sharmaaya” & “O Mehnatkash Insaan Jaag Utha” for Sunil Dutt in the film.

Oh Meri Baby Doll

Ha Ya Na Are Kuch Tu Boll …………… 2

Meri Dil Ki Baat, Meri Dil Ki Baat, Meri Dil Ki Baat Sun Ja……………….

It was the first Shanker-Jaikishan composition for this singer-actor composition. Rafi Sahab’s comical singing helps the actor to play a comic lover boy in a light-hearted comedy film EK PHOOL CHAR KAANTE (1960) and perform in the style of Shammi Kapoor or Joy Mukherjee. This was the debut film of director Bhappi Sonie and first film starring Sunil Dutt and Waheeda Rehman. The song is one of old favourite song of my kids for its comical lyrics and singing.

In late 1960s and early 1970s due to huge popularity of Kishore Kumar-Rajesh Khanna combinations from the film ARADHANA (1969), there was a great change in the scenario of Hindi Film and its Music. All other singers including Mohammed Rafi, actors like Sunil Dutt and Shashi Kapoor suffered to some extent. Roles are declining for Sunil Dutt as romantic and social hero in 1970s. He got action or central character roles and Rafi Sahab had also less opportunity to playback for the actor.

Emperor film JWALA (1971) directed by M.V. Raman was a late release and last film of Shanker-Jaikishan-Mohammed Rafi-Sunil Dutt combinations. Rafi Sahab’s solo “Duniya Ki Kitabon Se Ek Din Mushkil Ka Naam Mit Jayega, Insan Ke Iradoo Ke Aage Ambar Bhi Sar Ko Jhukayega” was very commanding and encouraging. It was also last and full length colour film of Madubala where young Asha Parekh played a small role of “Dasi” who don’t wish release of film as she became top actress at that time.

An account of 12 popular Rafi gems from different films picturised on Sunil Dutt: –

SLNo.

Year

Film

Song

Music

Lyrics

1

1957

Payal

Hum Mein Na Chede Koi Hum Sajayee Baithe Hai

Hemant Kumar

Rajinder Krishan

2

1960

Ek Phool Char Kante

Oh Meri Baby Dool, Ha Ya Kuch To Bool

Shankar-Jaikishan

Shailendra

3

1963

Yah Raste Hai Pyar Ke

Tum Jis Pe Nazar Dalo Ush Dil Ki Khuda Hafiz

Ravi

Rajinder Krishan

4

1963

Nartakee

Zindegi Ke Safar Mein Akelee The Hum

Ravi

Shakeel Badayuni

5

1963

Aaj Aur Kaal

Yeh Wadiyan Yeh Fazayen Bula Rahi Hai Tujhe

Ravi

Sahir Ludhiyanvi

6

1964

Ghazal

Rang Aur Noor Ki Baraat Kise Paise Karo

Madan Mohan

Sahir Ludhiyanvi

7

1965

Khandan

Badi Der Bhai Nandlala Teri Raah Take Brijbala

Ravi

Sahir Ludhiyanvi

8

1966

Mera Chaya

Aap Ke Pehloo Mein Aakar Roh Diye

Madan Mohan

Raja Mehdi Ali Khan

9

1966

Gaban

Yehsan Mere Dil Pe Tuhmare Hai Dostoon

Shankar-Jaikishan

Hasarat Jaipuri

10

1967

Meherban

Aayega Aayega Ek Chhail Chhabila Aayega

Ravi

Rajinder Krishan

11

1969

Chirag

Teri Aakhon Ke Siba Duniya Mein Rakha Kiya Hai

Madan Mohan

Majrooh Sultapuri

12

1970

Bhai-Bhai

Mere Mehbbob Tere Dam Se

Shankar-Jaikishan

Hasarat Jaipuri

Sunil Dutt and Nargis launching banner Ajanta Arts

In early 1960s, actor Sunil Dutt became Producer forming his own banner “AJANTA ARTS” and Mohammed Rafi Sahab also associated with the actor as a singer-producer in the films like YEH RAASTE HAI PYAR KE, MUJHE JEENE DO, DAKU AUR JAWAN, etc.

Mohammed Rafi sung with chorus the background score, “Ab Koi Gulshan Na Ujde, Ab Watan Azad Hai” in classic dacoit drama MUJHE JEENE DO composed by Jaidev in the lyrics of Sahir Ludhyanvi. The film was became eight highest grossing film of the year like other two big dacoit drama films, Dilip Kumar’s GANGA JAMUNA (1961) and Raj Kapoor’s JIS DESH MEIN GANGA BEHTI HAI (1960). Sunil Dutt won the 1st Filmfare Best Actor Award for this film.

Sunil Dutt became director with YAADEIN (1964) starring himself which was first ever Indian film as well as one kind of films in world cinema features single actor and entered in Gunness Books of World Records in the category of fewest actors in a narrative film. The film progresses through dialogues and background music composed by Vasant Desai. Sunil Dutt got National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi in 1964. As a producer, Sunil Dutt introduced his younger brother Som Dutt as a hero in MAN KA MEET with Vinod Khanna, Leena Chandavarkar which was a box office failure followed by his big budget desert debacle Reshma Aur Shera. Reshma Aur Shera was the first film of Sanjay Dutt as a qawwali singer in special appearance where Amitabh Bachchan and Vinod Khanna shared screen space together for first time.

Daku Aur Jawan is the last film of this singer-actor-producer-director combination. In the film, Rafi Sahab sung “Dharti Gaye Re, Aaye Re Khusi Ke Din Aaye Re” with Mukesh and Anuradha Paudwal composed by Laxmikat-Pyarelal in the lyrics of Anand Bakshi. Most probably it was the last song of Rafi Sahab with Mukesh Sahab.

List of Films Produced by Sunil Dutt under his own banner Ajanta Arts:

Sunil Dutt also directed ROCKEY (1981), produced by director Amarjeet introducing his son Sanjay Dutt as a lead hero. In the extreme era of remake, Sanjay Dutt wants to remake MUJHE JEENE DO with Ranbir Kapoor and revive his father’s banner AJANTA ARTS. But his second term jail for 3 ½ years due to illegal possession of arms in 1993 abandons the project.

Mohammed Rafi and Sunil Dutt both were great human beings and born in undivided Punjab, settled in INDIA after partition. Government of India honoured them Padma Shree in 1967 and 1968 respectively. In early 1980s, Sunil Dutt also entered in politics and became Sheriff of Mumbai in 1981. He was congress MP from Mumbai’s North-West Constituency from 1984 to 1994. As a Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs once he remarked, “My concept of secularism is to be a good human being who respects all religions”. In 1995, he won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to film Industry and he was last seen in film MUNNA BHAI M.B.B.S. (2003) before his death on 25th May, 2005.

Dear Ahamedji, these polls are a good indication that even after the demise of the great Mohd Rafisaheeb people still hold him in high regard and still love him as much today as they did when he was alive. Also it show’s clearly how strings are pulled by people in power to give people like Lata awards like the Bharat Ratna because of her influence, surely these people can’t expect us to believe that Mohd Rafi’s contribution to the music industry was less worthy???????

Dear Rafians,
The voting TO SELECT THE MOST VERSATILE SINGER INDIA
EVER PRODUCED,SANG EACH SONG WITH SUCH DISTINCTION
THAT LEFT THE LISTENERS SPELLBOUND by The Ranking.com
come to an end.As usual Rafi Saab come on top with 1,71,639
points.The points for KK is 1,03,374 and shamefully for the
Bharath Ratna Awardee – Lata JI it is 46,821

A nice article and yes it is Sunil Dutt I will always associate with being Bollywood’s first angry young man and not Amithab Bachan. I always felt his character and personalty worked best with Mohd Rafi’s voice and such a pity that there wasn’t much of that magnificent playback singing present in his films as other playback singers were often used.
I personally feel he should have won the best actor award aswell as Nargis for the best actress award for the film ‘Mother India’ because I really can’t think of any other actors doing justice to the roles that both Sunil and Nargis did in that film. In my opinion the best bollywood film ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!